GRADE 4

Reading
Administered April 2014

RELEASED
Copyright 2014, Texas Education Agency. All rights reserved. Reproduction of all or portions of this work is prohibited without express
written permission from the Texas Education Agency.

READING

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Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
Then fill in the answer on your answer document.
Marvin Redpost and his friends are still excited that the president of the
United States visited their third-grade class. Marvin cannot wait to get
home and tell his parents about his day. Since his parents do not get
home from work until after five oclock, Marvin decides to go to a
friends house instead of going home. He later realizes that he was
supposed to go shoe shopping with his mother earlier that afternoon.

Copyright restrictions prevent the excerpt from

Marvin Redpost: Class President from being
displayed in this format. Please refer to Marvin
Redpost: Class President by Louis Sachar,
accessible at your local library.

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Copyright restrictions prevent the excerpt from

Marvin Redpost: Class President from being
displayed in this format. Please refer to Marvin
Redpost: Class President by Louis Sachar,
accessible at your local library.

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Copyright restrictions prevent the excerpt from

Marvin Redpost: Class President from being
displayed in this format. Please refer to Marvin
Redpost: Class President by Louis Sachar,
accessible at your local library.

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Copyright restrictions prevent the excerpt from

Marvin Redpost: Class President from being
displayed in this format. Please refer to Marvin
Redpost: Class President by Louis Sachar,
accessible at your local library.

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Read the dictionary entry for the word raise.

raise \ rz\ verb

1. to lift upward
2. to awaken
3. to collect
4. to bring to notice
Which meaning best matches the way the word raised is used in paragraph 8?
A Meaning 1
B Meaning 2
C Meaning 3
D Meaning 4

Read this sentence.

Marvins parents looked at Marvin, first on TV, then on the stairs.

What are Marvins parents most likely thinking at this point in the story?
F They hope that Marvin will become a leader someday.
G They realize that Marvin had wanted to tell them something important.
H They wish that Marvin had asked the president a better question.
J

They wonder why Marvin didnt tell them about meeting the president.

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Why does Marvin hope that his parents are listening to what the president is
saying?
A He wants his parents to support his goal to become president.
B He wants his parents to realize that they should forgive him.
C He believes that his parents might learn something about the president.
D He thinks that the president might mention his parents on the news.

Which sentence from the story shows that Marvin does not want to create more
problems for his mother?
F I can wear my old shoes, Marvin offered.
G Its not regular television, Marvin tried to explain.
H Marvin didnt know what to do.
J

He slowly started up the stairs.

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The conversation between Marvin and his parents in paragraphs 6 through 12

shows that Marvin is
A prevented from explaining that he is going to be on television
B concerned about being punished for a long time
C bragging about his experience with the president
D patient when it comes to waiting for his turn to speak

In paragraph 2, the word rearranging means

F using ones organizing skills
G organizing something in advance
H changing the organization of something
J

planning something that should be organized

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What effect does Marvins visit to his friends house have on the story?
A It helps his parents understand what activities he values most.
B It keeps him from telling his parents about his experiences at school.
C It provides an opportunity for him to practice being a good citizen.
D It gives his family enough time to complete an important task.

The problem in the story is solved when Marvins parents

F hear him walking up the stairs to his room
G make plans to take him to the store the next day
H decide to punish him for a week rather than a month
J

see him with the president on the news

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Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
Then fill in the answer on your answer document.

Frog Songs
1

Rik-rrork. Thats the sound made by a group of frogs singing

at night. You might have heard these noises and thought they
were just the musical sounds of nature. You probably didnt
realize that you were listening to frogs communicating with one
another. These familiar sounds that fill the night are not random
but are actually meaningful to frogs.
Being Heard but Not Seen
Frogs are good at being heard but not seen, and thats
important for their survival. These animals have several
characteristics that protect them from predators. One
characteristic is their size. Most frogs are small, which helps them
hide easily. Some are no larger than a childs thumb. Many frogs
have coloring that allows them to hide in their environment,
making it difficult for predators to find them. Pacific tree frogs, for
example, are exactly the same color as the bark on the trees in
their habitat. In addition, most frogs are active at night. They
search for food in the dark, so it is difficult for most animals to
see them.

A tree frog sitting on a persons finger

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AP Images/Joanne Williams/Rex Features # 100615179106

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Small but Loud

3

The characteristics that make frogs so difficult to see,

however, also make it hard for them to find one another. Thats
why having a big voice is helpful. Frogs croak to tell other frogs
where they are. Their voices can be so loud that even a tiny frog
can be heard as much as a quarter of a mile away. But when frogs
feel the footsteps of a larger animal, they become silent. So
predators dont know that the frogs are nearby.

Many of the worlds frogs live in rain forests. These regions are
filled with many different animals calling to their own species in
their own ways. These calls can sometimes make rain forests very
loud places. Frogs need to call loudly enough to be heard through
the noise in order to find other frogs.
Singing with Purpose

Peter Narins is a scientist who studies how frogs call to one

another. He makes recordings of frog calls and plays them back to
other frogs to see whether they will answer. He has learned that
frogs use their calls to help them tell friend from enemy. One way
they do this is to sing the same notes at the same volume each
time they call. When Narins plays back calls at a louder volume
than a real frogs call, frogs do not call back.

In addition, Narins has found that frogs of the same species

always sing the same patterns. When Narins made recordings and
mixed up the patterns, the frogs didnt call back. These patterns
are like a code that is distinct from other animals calls and
difficult for others to copy.

Narins also observed that timing plays a role in frog calls.

Many frogs call only at a certain time of night. For example, the
coqu, a small frog that lives in Puerto Rico, calls only from sunset
to midnight. It waits for other frogs to finish their calls before it
begins making its co-qui sound.

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 iStockphoto.com/Kris Hanke

A coqu sits on a leaf.

More Work to Do
8

Page 14

Scientists want to better understand the purpose of frog calls.

Studies continue to explore the details of frogs unique
communication. It appears that frogs are able to stay connected
with others of their species. Being heard but not seen is one way
frogs remain safe. The idea that these creatures have found a way
to survive in a dangerous world is simply amazing.

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In which part of the selection can the reader find information about the patterns
of frog songs?
A Being Heard but Not Seen
B Small but Loud
C Singing with Purpose
D More Work to Do

10 What does Narinss study of frog calls suggest about frogs?

F They sing differently when people are nearby.
G They are aware of the particular sounds their species makes.
H They often repeat songs they hear from other animals.
J

They sing louder during the day than at night.

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11 Which idea from the selection does the first photograph support?
A Frogs need human protection in nature.
B Frogs croak to interact with one another.
C Frogs can hide easily because of their size.
D Frogs search for food during the night.

12 The purpose of this selection is mainly to

F explain how frogs use their calls to keep themselves safe
G offer the reasons why people have trouble identifying frog calls
H describe several ways that scientists study frog calls
J

list the reasons that frog calls differ between species

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13 Read the diagram below.

Cause:

Effect:

Frogs feel the footsteps of a

larger animal approaching.
Which of the following belongs in the empty box?
A The frogs alert other frogs by making a loud sound.
B The frogs croak to distract their enemies.
C The frogs quickly search for a hiding place.
D The frogs stop making sounds.

14 Which words from paragraph 6 help the reader know the meaning of distinct?
F difficult for others to copy
G made recordings
H mixed up the patterns
J

didnt call back

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15 Which of the following is the best summary of the section Singing with
Purpose?
A Peter Narins is a scientist who studies frogs and frog calls. By observing many
frogs in nature, Narins has learned some interesting things about a species of
frog in Puerto Rico.
B The scientist Peter Narins studies frog calls. He records the calls, plays them
back to other frogs, and observes the frogs responses. Narins has discovered
different meanings in the frog calls.
C Scientists study all kinds of things, including frog calls. One scientist who
studies frog calls is Peter Narins. He is interested in learning about how frogs
use their calls.
D The scientist Peter Narins decided to study the sounds frogs make. He learned
that frog calls are difficult for frogs enemies to copy. Some of these calls
occur at the same time every night.

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16 Read the diagram.

They are small.

Ways That Frogs

Are Protected

They hide
in their
surroundings.

Which of these best completes the diagram?

F They are most active at night.
G They sing loud songs along with other animals.
H They return to the same place each day to sleep.
J

They repeat the noises of other animals.

17 Having a loud call benefits frogs by

A allowing them to signal other animals when danger is near
B helping them locate other frogs that are far away
C allowing them to tell other frogs where to find food
D helping them scare away their enemies

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Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
Then fill in the answer on your answer document.

Cousin on the Court

CHARACTERS
CARTER: A nine-year-old boy
MARCUS and RUBEN: Boys on Carters basketball team
SAM: Carters cousin
SCENE 1
1

[The curtain opens. Carter, Marcus, and Ruben are sitting on the
bench at an empty park basketball court, rolling a basketball back
and forth.]

RUBEN: I cant believe David is going to miss our basketball

tournament.

MARCUS: Why did his family have to go on vacation now? The

tournament is this Saturday! Its too late to find anyone good to
fill his spot.

RUBEN: I dont know anyone. Mike is no good at basketball. Abe

is good, but he sprained his ankle playing soccer.

CARTER: I know someone who might be able to help us. My

cousin is coming to town tomorrow to visit for two weeks. Sam is
awesome at basketball.

RUBEN: Thats a great idea!

MARCUS: A great idea? If we want to win the tournament, we

cant fill the spot with just anybody. How do we know your cousin
is any good?

CARTER: Lets hold a tryout. Ill bring Sam here tomorrow, and
you can see for yourself.

MARCUS: I guess we can try it, but this kid had better be good.

10

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CARTER: Great! Ill see you guys tomorrow.

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11

[Ruben and Marcus wave good-bye. Close curtain.]

SCENE 2

12

[The curtain opens. Carter and Sam are playing basketball at the
park basketball court. Sam is wearing a baseball cap.]

13

[Ruben and Marcus walk onstage as Sam makes a basket.]

14

RUBEN: [To Marcus.] Carter was right. Sam is good.

15

MARCUS: Well see.

16

[As Marcus and Ruben approach, Sam pulls off the cap. Long hair
falls to Sams shoulders. Marcus and Ruben stare.]

17

MARCUS: [To Carter.] I thought you said you were bringing your
cousin Sam to practice!

18

SAM: [To Marcus.] Nice to meet you too. Marky, is it? Im Carters
cousin Sam. Sams short for Samantha.

19

MARCUS: Im Marcus, not Marky. Only my grandma calls me that.

This isnt going to work. [Marcus glares at Sam.] No way am I
playing in the tournament with a girl.

20

RUBEN: Come on, Marcus! What choice do we have? Besides,

shes good!

21

CARTER: At least give her a chance.

22

[Marcus shakes his head no.]

23

SAM: If you dont think Im competent to play on your team, give

me a chance to prove my ability.

24

MARCUS: How?

25

SAM: I challenge you to a game. The first person to make seven

points wins. If I win, I play in the tournament. If you win, I dont.
Sound fair?

26

[Marcus snorts.]

27

MARCUS: Thisll be easy.

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28

SAM: Yeah, I think so, too.

29

[Sam grins at Marcus, who frowns in return.]

30

MARCUS: Youre on. Lets flip a coin to see who gets the ball first.

31

[Carter digs in his pocket and pulls out a quarter.]

32

CARTER: Sam, call the toss.

33

[Carter tosses the quarter in the air.]

34

SAM: Heads!

35

[Carter, Marcus, Ruben, and Sam all gather around the coin on
the ground.]

36

SAM: I go first!

37

[Sam takes the ball to the half-court line as Marcus prepares to

defend the basket.]

38

MARCUS: Yeslets see.

39

SAM: Just try to score one point, at least.

40

[Sam dribbles to the three-point line and makes the shot. She
hands Marcus the ball with a smile.]

41

RUBEN: Three to nothing, Marcus!

42

MARCUS: I know! I know!

43

[Sam grins and steals the ball as Marcus dribbles. She steps
behind the three-point line and makes another shot.]

44

CARTER: And thats six.

45

RUBEN: Marcus, are you going to score at all?

46

MARCUS: Watch this!

47

[Marcus dribbles the ball between his legs and quickly approaches
the basket. He jumps up to put the ball in the basket, but Sam
smacks it out of his hands.]

48

MARCUS: What? Foul!

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49

CARTER: That was no foul, Marcus. She never touched you! I saw
it.

50

MARCUS: Fine! Lets play.

51

[Marcus frowns as Sam approaches with the ball. As she makes a

motion to his right, Marcus sticks out his leg. Sam passes the ball
between his legs, grabs it, and makes a basket.]

52

RUBEN: Thats the game!

53

[Marcus lowers his head and sulks.]

54

CARTER: I told you she was good.

55

MARCUS: I cant believe Sam won.

56

[Sam gives him the ball.]

57

SAM: Why? Because Im a girl?

58

MARCUS: Yes. I mean, no. I mean . . . Well, O.K., youre on the

team.

59

SAM: Oh, I dont think so.

60

MARCUS: What do you mean?

61

SAM: Well, you wouldnt appreciate my talents. Since Im a girl

and all.

62

CARTER: [To Sam.] Well, thanks for trying out.

63

SAM: [To Carter.] See you at the house. [She picks up her
baseball cap and walks off.]

64

RUBEN: Good job, Marcus. Now what do we do?

65

MARCUS: Hey, Carter, does she have a sister in town?

66

[The curtain closes.]

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18 Which of the following best explains why Sam refuses to play in the tournament?
F SAM: Yeah, I think so, too.
G SAM: Why? Because Im a girl?
H SAM: Oh, I dont think so.
J

SAM: Well, you wouldnt appreciate my talents. Since Im a girl and all.

19 What does the word competent mean in paragraph 23?

A Having the necessary skills
B Describing something in a believable way
C Showing the proper respect
D Trying to make improvements

20 How does Ruben contribute to the plot of the play?

F He supports Carters decision to invite Sam to play with the team.
G He thinks of a friend who could play with the team.
H He keeps score when Marcus shoots baskets against Sam.
J

He asks Marcus to think of a way to solve their problem.

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21 Which line from the play supports the idea that Marcus has changed the way he
feels about having a female player on the team?
A MARCUS: I guess we can try it, but this kid had better be good.
B MARCUS: Fine! Lets play.
C MARCUS: I cant believe Sam won.
D MARCUS: Hey, Carter, does she have a sister in town?

22 The playwright creates a surprise by

F giving Carters cousin a name that can be used for a boy
G revealing that David cant play in the tournament
H allowing Sam to make up the rules of the challenge
J

having Carters cousin come to visit for two weeks

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23 Sams dialogue with Marcus in Scene 2 suggests that she

A tries to avoid playing basketball against boys
B believes that other basketball players are accepting of her
C knows that she is a skilled basketball player
D lacks the patience to teach basketball to others

24 Which of the following is the best summary of the play?

F Marcus and his teammates need to find someone to replace a player who is
going away on vacation. The boys bring up the names of two friends, but
one is injured, and the other is not a good basketball player. Finally Carter
suggests asking his cousin Sam to play on the team in a tournament.
G A basketball team needs to find a new player in time for a tournament on
Saturday. Carter suggests using his cousin, and Marcus agrees to the idea of
having a tryout. Marcus objects when he sees that Sam is a girl, but then she
proves that she is a better player than he expected.
H A basketball team needs a new player and decides to let Carters cousin Sam
try out. Carter and Sam are already at the court when Marcus and Ruben
arrive. Ruben watches Sam make a basket and agrees that she is a good
player.
J

Marcus agrees to play a basketball game against Carters cousin Sam. If

Sam wins the game, she will get to play with the team in the upcoming
tournament. Sam gets the ball first and scores an easy three-point shot, but
Marcus cant score at all.

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25 What lesson does Marcus learn in the play?

A Winning is not as important as friendship.
B Working together helps team members improve.
C Problems can be solved with hard work.
D People should not be quick to judge others.

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Read the next two selections. Then choose the best answer to
each question.

In the summer of 2006, Gabriel Whaley, a high school

student, wanted to do something to help people in his hometown
of Midland, North Carolina. Whaley knew that the local food
banks, places that collect food for the hungry, could not feed all
the families in need of help in his community. As a soccer lover, he
also knew that the cost of soccer camps prevented some children
from attending them. Whaley found a way to help solve both
problems.

Whaley established a program called Kicking4Hunger. He

organized his own soccer camp for children and asked them to
bring canned goods to pay for the training. This allowed many
children to participate. And the children who attended the camp
helped hungry people in the community by supporting the food
banks with their canned goods. Whaleys project was a success!
During the three-day camp, more than 70 children were able to
play soccer. Better still, about 1,500 pounds of food was collected
and donated to the food banks.

Kicking4Hunger continues to offer soccer training to children

in exchange for food donations. The soccer camps are usually held
for three or four days in the summer and are open to children five
to 14 years of age. Because all skill levels are welcome, the
coaches focus on teaching soccer basics such as passing and
shooting. The coaches also teach children about staying healthy
by exercising and eating the right foods. During the school year
Kicking4Hunger offers clinics that are usually held for one to three
days. Children attending these clinics can practice their soccer
skills.
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Since Whaley started the program, Kicking4Hunger has

collected
more
than
16,000 pounds of food
and taught soccer skills to
more than 1,000 children.
Now a busy college
student, Whaley still
serves as president of the
organization and helps
make important decisions
about it. Kicking4Hunger
has set a goal of bringing
soccer camps to other
states by 2014 and to
other countries by 2016.
Thanks to his efforts
Whaley
was
named
People
magazines
Readers Choice Hero of
the Year for 2011. The
prize money he received
from the award will be
used to help support Kicking4Hungers increasing number of
programs.

Whaley thinks that one of the reasons his camps are

successful is the effort of the volunteers. Many of the coaches are
teenagers who want to help others. The coaches try to teach
children that it is more important to enjoy playing soccer than to
win games. The children who attend the camps have fun and also
feel good about helping hungry families. Kicking4Hunger is proof
that the efforts of one person can lead to differences in the lives of
many.

Photo by Eric McNatt

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Caring for Kids Is in the Bag

1

When Annie Wignall was 11 years old, she learned about a

family that had to leave their home quickly. The children in the
family didnt have time to pack. Wignall thought about how
difficult it would be to leave her favorite toys and books behind.
So she came up with a way to help other children in such a
situation.

Wignall talked to her parents about her idea and then got to
work. She went to businesses in her town and asked people to
donate toys, games, toothbrushes, soap, and shampoo. She and
other volunteers placed these items in bags to give to children
who needed them. Annie named her project Care Bags.

How does this project help others? First, people who work
with children let Annies group know about children who have lost
their homes or experienced other difficulties. Then Wignalls
friends and other volunteers fill bags to fit the needs of those
children. They have bags that are appropriate for children of
different ages. After the bags are filled, they are sent to the
children who need them.

One goal of the project is to encourage people to help others.

People can help by donating new toys and other items. Volunteers
who sew make the bags that hold the donated items and also
make other things that are included in the bags, such as blankets
and bibs.

The project has become more successful over the years. Now
an elementary school teacher, Wignall is also the president and
director of the Care Bags Foundation. The project has gone from
helping people in Wignalls hometown to helping thousands of
children all over the world. So far, almost 20,000 bags have been
delivered to places in the United States and other countries.

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 Care Bags Foundation

Page 31

The foundation even has starter kits so that others can begin
projects where they live. Thanks to these kits, about 70 other
Care Bags programs have been started. One of these programs is
managed by people in Africa who once received bags from
Wignall! So the next time you have an idea for helping others,
remember Care Bags, a project that shows how a good idea can
make a big difference.

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Use Fighting Hunger with a Kick (pp. 2829) to

answer questions 2629. Then fill in the answers on your
answer document.

26 The attendance at Whaleys first soccer camp suggests that members of the
community were
F unfamiliar with the game of soccer
G willing to support his effort to help others
H more interested in helping food banks than in playing soccer
J

eager for him to become president of the organization

27 According to the article, what is one way Whaley achieves his goal of providing
soccer instruction to children?
A He asks newspaper reporters to inform others about soccer camps.
B He asks local food banks to provide locations for soccer camps.
C He trains schoolteachers to become qualified coaches.
D He depends on teenagers to volunteer as coaches.

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28 Which sentence from the article shows that developing soccer skills isnt the only
focus of Kicking4Hunger camps?
F During the three-day camp, more than 70 children were able to play soccer.
G The coaches also teach children about staying healthy by exercising and
eating the right foods.
H During the school year Kicking4Hunger offers clinics that are usually held for
one to three days.
J

Kicking4Hunger has set a goal of bringing soccer camps to other states by

2014 and to other countries by 2016.

29 What was one benefit of Whaley winning the Readers Choice Hero of the Year
award?
A He was able to focus on a new career.
B He was able to choose an experienced president for his organization.
C He received advice about how to be an effective soccer coach.
D He was able to use the prize money to help his organization.

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Use Caring for Kids Is in the Bag (pp. 3031) to

answer questions 3034. Then fill in the answers on your
answer document.

30 Which words from paragraph 3 best help the reader understand what appropriate
means?
F people who work with children
G volunteers fill bags
H fit the needs of
J

experienced other difficulties

31 Paragraph 4 is important to the selection because it provides information about

how the Care Bags project
A shares information with its volunteers
B relies on people to support its goals
C identifies which toys children prefer
D estimates how many bags will be needed

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32 Which sentence from the selection shows that Wignalls project has expanded
over the years?
F She and other volunteers placed these items in bags to give to children who
needed them.
G After the bags are filled, they are sent to the children who need them.
H Volunteers who sew make the bags that hold the donated items and also
make other things that are included in the bags, such as blankets and bibs.
J

Thanks to these kits, about 70 other Care Bags programs have been started.

33 Read the following sentence from paragraph 6.

One of these programs is managed by people in Africa who
once received bags from Wignall!

The author includes this sentence most likely to

A illustrate how many Care Bags programs there are in the world
B show that Wignalls project has had a positive effect on others
C demonstrate why more volunteers for Care Bags programs are needed
D show how long it can take for Wignalls bags to reach people in need

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34 Which of these is the best summary of the selection?

F After talking to her parents, Annie Wignall started a project called Care Bags.
People who work with children contact Wignalls group about children who
need help. Volunteers for the project then fill bags with toys and other items.
G Annie Wignall wanted to find a way to help other children. After talking to her
parents, she decided to gather items that children needed and put them in
bags for delivery. Many people volunteered to help Annie with her project,
which became known as Care Bags.
H After hearing about a family that had to leave their home suddenly and left
some things behind, Annie Wignall decided to create the Care Bags project.
The project provides bags containing toys and other items to children who
need them. Project volunteers have helped thousands of children all over the
world.
J

Annie Wignall gathered some items in a bag for children in need and decided
to start the Care Bags project. The project has now helped children all over
the world by putting together many more similar bags. Wignall still directs the
projects activities.

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Use Fighting Hunger with a Kick and Caring for Kids Is

in the Bag to answer questions 3538. Then fill in the
answers on your answer document.

35 The authors of the two selections probably intend for the reader to learn how
A the two organizations selected leaders who could accomplish more than
members expect
B food banks are involved with organizations that aid children
C each organization grew out of a persons desire to help others
D the two organizations make use of volunteers

36 What is one way that Kicking4Hunger is different from the Care Bags Foundation?
F Kicking4Hunger accepts donated items to give to communities in need.
G Kicking4Hunger focuses on meeting the needs of the children in a community.
H Kicking4Hunger needs a leader to decide how best to support a community.
J

Kicking4Hunger provides training in exchange for donations to help the

community.

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37 One way that Whaley and Wignall are alike is that

A they both want to attend college and earn teaching degrees
B they have both received awards for their willingness to assist others
C their concern for other people has inspired both of them to think creatively
D their enjoyment of volunteering has motivated them to start their own
organizations

38 Kicking4Hunger is different from the Care Bags Foundation in that

F Kicking4Hunger has adopted more goals to meet, while the Care Bags
Foundation has kept the same goal but helped additional children
G volunteers are needed to operate Kicking4Hunger, while the Care Bags
Foundation can operate without volunteers
H Kicking4Hunger donates food to assist people of all ages, while Care Bags
Foundation donates toys and other items to children only
J

Kicking4Hunger has assisted children in several countries, while the Care Bags
Foundation has assisted children only in the United States

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Read the selection and choose the best answer to each question.
Then fill in the answer on your answer document.

To Manga, My Hamster
by Joyce Sidman

10

15

20

I wish I could set you free

like that day you escaped
and ran all over the house.
That was an amazing day.
My mother screamed.
My sister cried.
All because you were loose somewhere,
burrowing through pillows and toys.
When Mom finally found you
huddled in the mop bucket
(and you bit her)
you looked so fierce,
like your wild cousins
that roam the jungles of Asia.
I wish I had jungles to give you.
I wish that could be your life.
Please forgive me.
All I have to offer
is this warm, cozy cage
and my fingers
scratching behind your ears.

To Manga, My Hamster from THIS IS JUST TO SAY: POEMS OF APOLOGY AND FORGIVENESS by Joyce
Sidman. Text copyright 2007 by Joyce Sidman. Reprinted by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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39 What identifies this poem as an example of free verse?

A Its lines are not similar in length.
B It does not follow a rhyming pattern.
C It uses figurative language to create imagery.
D It presents a lesson that can be learned.

40 Which line from the poem shows that the speaker is not worried about Mangas
behavior upsetting her mother and sister?
F That was an amazing day.
G My mother screamed.
H I wish that could be your life.
J

Please forgive me.

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41 What is the speakers main purpose in the poem?

A To persuade her mother to let her keep Manga
B To explain to readers the benefits of having a pet hamster
C To share her feelings with Manga
D To teach readers to seek forgiveness for their mistakes

42 The poet uses lines 1 through 3 mainly to

F introduce the conflict
G compare two related events
H explain how the speaker got Manga
J

give human characteristics to Manga

43 What is the meaning of the word burrowing in line 8?

A Sleeping
B Eating
C Digging
D Squeaking

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44 What is emphasized by the repetition of the words I wish in the poem?

F The reason the speaker wants her mother to like Manga
G The speakers desire for Manga to have the best life possible
H The length of time it takes the speaker to find Manga when he escapes
J

The speakers reason for keeping Manga as a pet

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